The Chairman of Igbo World Assembly, an umbrella body of the Igbo people worldwide, and Onowu Regent of Abagana., Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, has congratulated Afenifere leader, Pa Reuben Famuyide Fasoranti on his 100th birthday anniversary.
In a congratulatory message by his Director General, Chief Eric Oluwole, Anakwenze, who is also a former Presidential Aspirant, described the elderstatesman as one of the remaining few patriots who fought selflessly for the independence of Nigeria from colonial rule.
Besides, he said Pa Fasoranti, as one of the living legends, and closest disciples of Yoruba Leader and first premier of the defunct Western Region, the iconic Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, and first civilian Governor of the old Ondo State, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, both deceased, played a remarkable role in the implementation of the progressive programmes and policies that laid the foundation of today’s socioeconomic development of the six Southwestern states that emerged from the defunct Western Region.
According to Anakwenze: “The contributions of Pa Fasoranti to the struggles for Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule, good governance across the country, sociopolitical and economic development of the defunct Western Region, and particularly the old Ondo State where he served as the Finance Commissioner in the Ajasin administration, are legendary.
“I recall with pride that through Pa Fasoranti’s prudent management of government resources, and offering timely, selfless advice to the Governor, the old Ondo State under Pa Ajasin was able to record remarkable feats in the establishment of many industries that were well managed, and pushed the old Ondo State in the forefront as a model of economic miracle to be copied by other states, and that were bequeathed as legacy to successive administrations.
“Most remarkably, Pa Fasoranti was solidly on the side of the traumatized Nigerian people during the protracted and bloody pro-democracy struggles following the annulment of our country’s freest and fairest presidential election ever, which was won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola.
“It should be recalled that Pa Fasoranti fought side by side with Chief Ajasin, Chief Abraham Adesanya and other notable pro-democracy leaders including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the prevailing democratic dispensation Nigeria enjoys today.
“And since he assumed leadership of Afenifere following the passage of Chief Adesanya, Pa Fasoranti, in his usually exemplary manner, has been leading the organisation to record commendable feats, and especially in offering sound, invaluable advice, intermittently, to the administration of President Bola Tinubu, and other state administrations.”
Happy Birthday, Sir!”
